Jamaica storms into CFU U-14 final after 3-1 comeback win over Puerto Rico
Key Points(5)
- Jamaica advanced to the final of the 2024 CFU Boys’ Under-14 Challenge Series after a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Puerto Rico in the Tier 1 semi-finals at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Trinidad on Friday.
- The young Reggae Boyz, led by a second-half brace from substitute Kelvin ‘DJ’ Brown, will face French Guiana who defeated Trinidad 4-3 in the second semi-final, in the final on Sunday.
- Puerto Rico took the lead just before halftime, scoring the first goal Jamaica has conceded in the series.
- The breakthrough came in the 35th minute when Wilfred Reyes Rivera converted a penalty after Jamaican goalkeeper Marcodean Spence fouled Fabian Salls Diaz on the edge of the box.
- <b>Jamaica responded strongly in the second half</b> Jamaica responded strongly in the second half, with Brown replacing Kevaughn Halloway at the start of the period.
Jamaica advanced to the final of the 2024 CFU Boys’ Under-14 Challenge Series after a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Puerto Rico in the Tier 1 semi-finals at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Trinidad on Friday.
The young Reggae Boyz, led by a second-half brace from substitute Kelvin ‘DJ’ Brown, will face French Guiana who defeated Trinidad 4-3 in the second semi-final, in the final on Sunday.
Puerto Rico took the lead just before halftime, scoring the first goal Jamaica has conceded in the series. The breakthrough came in the 35th minute when Wilfred Reyes Rivera converted a penalty after Jamaican goalkeeper Marcodean Spence fouled Fabian Salls Diaz on the edge of the box.
Jamaica responded strongly in the second half
Jamaica responded strongly in the second half, with Brown replacing Kevaughn Halloway at the start of the period. Brown made an immediate impact, leveling the score in the 52nd minute with a shot from outside the 18-yard box that deflected off a Puerto Rican defender and slipped under the diving goalkeeper Martin Perez Colon.
Jamaica took the lead in the 60th minute through Kyle Hussey, who capitalized on a partially blocked shot from Brown. The ball fell perfectly for Hussey, who slotted it into the wide-open net to make it 2-1.
Brown cemented Jamaica’s victory in stoppage time with his second goal of the match. After Perez Colon mishandled a header from Carlando Morris, Brown was in the right place to head the ball across the line, securing Jamaica’s place in the final.
Jamaica will now face French Guiana in the final on Sunday, where they will aim to continue their unbeaten run and lift the title.
